Civil War Memories – 150 Years After

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150 years ago the Civil War came to an end. As we travel east this year to many of the battlefields that brother fought against brother, we will once again be humbled and awed by the history that shaped our country. From bloody Antietam to the steps of Appomattox Courthouse, we will travel to learn and remember. We will take time for some other wonders the area has to offer including caves and canals, museums and monuments. It will be a special time together remembering a special time in our country’s history.

Day 1 – Home to Bloomington, IL

We begin our journey today traveling east out of Minnesota and through Wisconsin. The stage will be set for our travels into Civil War History. Get to know your fellow travelers and enjoy the springtime scenery as we travel down the highway in our luxury motorcoach.

Included Meals: Lunch

Hotel: Comfort Inn and Suites 

Day 2 – Bloomington to Richmond, IN

As we continue East we travel through Indianapolis and make a stop in the heart of the city at the “Soldiers and Sailors” Monument. Continuing east we will veer off the freeway for a time and travel a bit of the old “National Highway” through some of the small towns of Indiana. Then it’s a stop at the Levi Coffin house, which was used on the Underground Railroad to help slaves find their way to freedom. Tonight we’ll stay in Richmond, IN.

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Day 3 – Richmond to Morgantown, WV

We will begin our day with a visit to the Longaberger Homestead in Ohio. Here we will enjoy a bite of lunch and take a tour of the famous basket making company. Into West Virginia we will travel and make an afternoon stop at Independence Hall in Wheeling for their special display of Civil War era artifacts, including a collection of Civil War flags that is fabulous. We’ll spend the night in Morgantown, MD.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 4 – Morgantown to Frederick, MD

We travel one of the most beautiful stretches of I-80 this morning through Maryland. The mountains and forests along the route will make for some great photo opportunities. Our first stop will be in Williamsport, MD at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Visitor’s Center. We will learn the history of the canal that played an important part in transportation along the river. You will see a stretch of the canal and just down a short walk, one of the locks is still available for viewing. The Conococheague Aqueduct is partially intact and a railroad lift bridge completes this very interesting place. After lunch we’ll travel into Frederick, MD for a visit at the Museum of Civil War Medicine. Displays will enlighten us on the care of the soldier in battlefield hospitals during the war. We’ll settle in tonight in Frederick for a two night stay.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn (2 Nights)

Day 5 – Gettysburg

This morning we travel the short distance to Gettysburg, PA. We will immerse ourselves here in the history of this 4 day battle that many say changed the outcome of the Civil War. The museum built just a few years ago is spectacular, with many displays and artifacts that will keep your interest for hours! A special movie and their famous Cyclorama depicting Picket’s Charge are highlights. Lunch today will be at the historic Dobbin House, another Civil War era building used in the Underground Railroad. This afternoon we will travel the Battlefield with our step-on guide. The historic battle will unfold before you with the stories our guide has to share. From the “wheat field” to the “peach orchard” to “Little Round Top” we will explore the battlefield, learning how this battle unfolded from day to day. After a great but emotional day, we will return to our hotel where dinner and the evening are at your leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Day 6 – Frederick to Winchester, VA

Our destinations today include two battlefields. This morning we will travel to Sharpsburg, MD where the battle of Antietam took place. This was the site of the first major battle of the war to take place on Union soil and it was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. A guide will share the story with us as we travel the battlefield. Lunch today will be at a wonderful German restaurant on a bluff that overlooks the Potomac River. This afternoon we visit Harpers Ferry and learn the history of this town at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, and the role it played in Civil War history. The contrast in the history we learn of today and the beauty of the region will be evident as we end our day and settle in for a restful evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Country Inn and Suites 

Day 7 – Winchester to Charlottesville, VA

Today we will travel through territory that saw battles during the Civil War, but our focus will be on the beauty of the region. A drive this morning takes us past the sights of the Cedar Creek Battlefield and the New Market Battlefield. Then we turn towards the mountains across the Shenandoah Valley for a stop at Luray Caverns. Here we’ll walk into the caverns along well-lit walkways to cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10 stories high. We’ll enjoy towering stone columns, shimmering draperies, and crystal-clear pools – this is truly a spectacular natural wonder! We continue our day enjoying the beauty of nature with a drive along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Take in the beautiful vistas as we traverse this highway and stop for lunch with views of mountains and valleys. Our great day will come to a close as we stop for the night in Charlottesville, VA.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Hampton Inn and Suites 

Day 8 – Charlottesville to Farmville, VA

We begin this morning with a visit to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. We will learn about our 3rd President and the author of the Declaration of Independence as we tour the museum and his home. This masterpiece built high up on the hilltop with its beautiful gardens is a true showpiece. Lunch today will be at Mitchie’s Tavern nearby. We will feast on Fried Chicken and all the fixings, and learn the history of this historic meeting place. Down the road we travel to Appomattox and a stop at the National Park. Here on April 9, 1865, General Lee’s surrender signaled the end of the Southern States attempt to create a separate nation.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Day 9 – Farmville to Petersburg, VA

As we travel on from Appomattox, we will visit sites of battles that lead up to the surrender. Known as Lee’s Retreat, the Battlefields that lie ahead of us play an important part in the last days of battle. First stop this morning is Sailors Creek Battlefield. At this State Park you will enjoy the museum and its fine displays. A Ranger will share the story of the battle that took place here just three days before the surrender at Appomattox. While not the most famous battle, it played an important role in the final surrender. Then on to Petersburg Battlefield where we will visit Grant’s Headquarters on the Potomac and travel the battlefield with a stop at “The Crater.” A Park Ranger will share the story of this battle that Grant considered, “the saddest affair I have witnessed in the war.” We’ll visit some other sites in Petersburg before we check into our hotel for a two night stay.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn and Suites (2 Nights) 

Day 10 – Petersburg

This morning we cross the James River for a stop at the Berkeley Plantation. This 1726 Georgian mansion was occupied by Union Troops during the civil war and is presently furnished with a magnificent collection of 18th century antiques and artifacts. A lunch stop will be made in Williamsburg before we travel to the Mariners’ Museum. Here you will get a glimpse of many handcrafted ship models, Civil War ironclad USS Monitor artifacts, paintings, and more. We’ll travel back the scenic highways to our hotel. Enjoy dinner and evening on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 11- Petersburg to Fredericksburg, VA

Our day will be spent in the Capital of the Confederate States, Richmond. We will visit the historic Tredegar Iron Works site and the recently remodeled American Civil War Museum, which interprets the War from Union, Confederate, and African American perspectives. This afternoon we will visit the Museum of the Confederacy and the Southern White House. The rest of the day will be spent enjoying this capital city before we travel to the Fredericksburg area for the night.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 12 – Fredericksburg to Washington, DC

Today’s Battlefield stops include Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Manassas. This morning we visit the Sunken Road in Fredericksburg near the newly remodeled Visitor’s Center. We’ll learn about the battles of this area before we take a short driving tour of the town. Down the road we stop at the Chancellorsville Visitor Center to learn about the battle here and take a short walk to the Stonewall Jackson Memorial. Lunch today is at a delightful restaurant in Cumberland before we visit the Manassas Battlefield. Here two battles took place, one early in the war and the second produced a solid victory for the Confederates. We drive into the DC area late today to spend the next two nights.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Sheraton 

Day 13 – Washington DC

Today will be spent in our Nation’s Capital. We will visit the Ford Theatre where 150 years ago President Lincoln was assassinated while attending an evening play. The museum here is filled with special stories and artifacts from this tragic day in American History. Just across the Potomac is Arlington National Cemetery. Here we will view the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Not far from here is Arlington House and the Robert E. Lee Memorial. As time permits we will enjoy stops at the Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials and others throughout our capital. Our farewell dinner this evening will be at Old Ebbitt Grill, just steps from the White House.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 14 – Washington DC to Home

Today we board our motorcoach for the short ride to the airport. We’ll travel along the Potomac River with views of our Nation’s capital city around us. We’ve spent the last 13 days learning about and visiting the sites of a war that threatened to tear our country apart, but 150 years later, with awe and pride, we leave the capital city of the United States of America!

Included Meals: Breakfast

*NOW AVAILABLE: RETURN HOME BY LUXURY MOTORCOACH ON APRIL 23, 2015.  THIS OPTION IS SAME COST AS FLYING HOME ON THE 21ST.  RETURNING BY MOTORCOACH INCLUDES 2 ADDITIONAL HOTEL STAYS, 2 ADDITIONAL BREAKFASTS, AND ONE ADDITIONAL MEAL FOR A TOTAL MEAL COUNT OF 25 MEALS!!